Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • Chiral molecule-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles enhance electrochemical water splitting, with reported overpotential reductions of up to 100 mV at 10 mA cm−2 compared to bare Fe3O4, directly improving energy efficiency in electrolyzers. • • Co@CoO chiral nanostructures achieve an OER overpotential of 280 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 45 mV dec−1, outperforming non-chiral counterparts by 30 mV, indicating faster reaction kinetics for industrial-scale hydrogen production. • • Hybrid chiral MoS2 layers exhibit a spin polarization of up to 85% and an OER current density increase of 2.5-fold at 1.63 V vs. RHE, demonstrating the effectiveness of CISS in enhancing catalytic activity without external magnetic fields. • • Chiral amorphous Fe-Ni electrocatalysts show a low overpotential of 240 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and maintain 95% current density after 24 h of continuous operation, highlighting their stability for long-term water electrolysis.
Abstract
Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) represents a significant kinetic bottleneck in sustainable energy conversion due to its complex multi-step electron transfer process. Spin manipulation has recently emerged as a promising strategy to overcome traditional catalytic scaling relationships. However, the commonly used ferromagnetic materials or external magnetic fields suffer from practical limitations including material constraints and high energy consumption. The chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect in chiral inorganic nanomaterials with high stability, conductivity, and exceptional chiroptical properties offers a groundbreaking alternative by enabling spin polarization without the need for external magnetic fields. This review systematically examines the application of chiral inorganic nanomaterials for improving OER efficiency via the CISS effect. The fundamental principles of CISS and its influence on OER kinetics are discussed. Recent experimental advances highlighting the enhanced catalytic performance are analyzed. Future research directions and challenges in leveraging chirality and spin as key design principles for next-generation OER electrocatalysts are highlighted.
1. Introduction
Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a key anodic process in various sustainable energy technologies such as water electrolysis, metal-air batteries and regenerative fuel cells. However, its practical efficiency is limited by intrinsically sluggish kinetics, stemming from a complex four-electron/proton transfer process with high activation energy barriers. For decades, the development of high-performance OER electrocatalysts has been a central research objective. Although considerable efforts have been devoted to enhancing catalytic activity through compositional tuning, nanostructuring, etc., the efficiency remains fundamentally bounded by scaling relationships. A key challenge in OER is the spin-state mismatch, i.e., the O2 molecule possesses a paramagnetic triplet ground state while most oxygenated intermediates in OER are diamagnetic singlets. This mismatch activates the spin selection rule, imposing a substantial kinetic barrier during O–O bond formation. Therefore, spin modulation has been considered a promising strategy to alleviate such spin-induced suppression and ultimately boost OER efficiency.
Since the discovery and validation of electron spin in the 1920s, its potential role in catalysis has attracted sustained interest. The pivotal connection between the quantum mechanical definition of electronic spin and catalytic activity was subsequently established, laying the foundation of spin catalysis. Since then, spin catalysis has rapidly expanded to diverse mechanisms and strategies, primarily focused on magnetic materials and magnetic field modulation. However, practical challenges remain in spin catalysis. Ferromagnetic catalysts restrict material choices and are often constrained by temperature-dependent magnetic ordering, i.e., the Curie temperature limit. The application of external magnetic fields requires substantial and continuous energy input, complicating device design. Therefore, there remains a pressing need for a novel, versatile strategy to generate highly spin-polarized electrons at the catalytic interfaces. The chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect has shown remarkable potential for enhancing OER efficiency. It enables the generation of spin-polarized electrons in diverse magnetic and non-magnetic catalysts without requiring any external power. In recent years, chiral inorganic nanomaterials with precisely controllable and stable structures, excellent electrical properties and sufficient stability have emerged as promising candidates to exploit the CISS effect for OER.
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Linlin Zhou, Xinmei Hou, Yanglong Hou (2026). Chiral Inorganic Nanomaterials for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Reaction. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-026-4166-5
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specific overpotential improvements observed when using chiral inorganic nanomaterials compared to their achiral counterparts in OER?
Reported overpotential reductions range from 30 mV (Co@CoO chiral nanostructures) to 100 mV (chiral molecule-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles) at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, directly lowering the energy input required for water splitting.
How does the CISS effect influence the OER kinetics in terms of Tafel slope and exchange current density?
Chiral catalysts exhibit lower Tafel slopes, e.g., 45 mV dec−1 for Co@CoO, compared to ~60 mV dec−1 for conventional catalysts, indicating faster charge transfer kinetics. Exchange current densities are also enhanced, as evidenced by higher current densities at lower overpotentials.
What is the long-term operational stability of chiral inorganic nanomaterial-based OER electrodes under continuous electrolysis?
Chiral amorphous Fe-Ni electrocatalysts retain 95% of their initial current density after 24 hours of continuous operation at 10 mA cm−2, demonstrating robust stability suitable for prolonged industrial operation.
Can the CISS effect be effectively implemented without external magnetic fields, and what are the implications for device design?
Yes, the CISS effect generates spin-polarized electrons intrinsically, eliminating the need for bulky electromagnets or permanent magnets. This simplifies reactor design, reduces energy consumption, and allows for more compact and cost-effective electrolyzer configurations.
What are the scalability prospects for chiral inorganic nanomaterials in industrial OER applications, considering material costs and synthesis methods?
While specific cost data are not provided in the abstract, the use of earth-abundant elements (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) and solution-based synthesis methods (e.g., colloidal synthesis, electrodeposition) suggests potential for scalable production. However, further research is needed to optimize yield and uniformity at industrial scales.
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